New stick - HOTAS

[CoolHand]

Hi all,

First, long time no see - I'm the one who left for TOGA some while ago. Some of you might still remember me  :-) So, currently I am playing BF1 and (some) BF4. However, I have decided to pick up flight sims again.

I currently own to modules in DCS: A10 Warthog and the Black Shark 2 heli sim. I have flown the Allied Force too (falcon sim).

I need a HOTAS setup. Now, I am looking at the Saitek HOTAS..... I did have the X52, but it is gone now.

So, I am looking for this setup:

X55 or X56 HOTAS
Pedals
TrakcIR

Which HOTAS would you go for?

And do any of you fly anything in DCS (might be cool to link up sometime, but I need some weeks to get to grips again with the sims).

Cheers.

CoolHand

[albert]

I swear by my CH Products Fighterstick, Throttle and pedals. Bullet proof and perfectly formed. Not pretty but then again you don't look at the mantle piece when you're stoking the fire!

[sulky_uk]

TBH you cant go wrong with track IR, BTW i have all the sims you mention above, all very very good. Have you thought about fsx steam edition for relaxation flying?

[CoolHand]

I prefer combat sims...

But I am wondering to buy the MiG21 or the Tiger F5 for a simpler aircraft.

The A10 is mighty sophisticated.....

C

[TeaLeaf]

The old and cheap 1600M joystick is working for me, still waiting for a decent HOTAS that doesn't cost the earth to appear on the scene.   Mainly flying PMDG 747 & 777 though, which are not your best combat aircraft!

[albert]

still waiting for a decent HOTAS that doesn't cost the earth to appear on the scene.

16000M is as good as most at half the price, I use a similar product for my second stick as it has twist.

Could be a while there, these X52s were way over priced and rubbish, Ranualf went through 4 X55s, I think Toby went to a second one. Basically Saitek just are so overpriced vs quality and it get proved time and time again.

https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-200-571-Fighterstick-USB/dp/B00006B84X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488476884&sr=8-1&keywords=ch+products+fighterstick+usb is what I bought, in the US as it's not easy to find or cheap here. But under £100 for an industrial designed stick represents good value to me.

The Warthog stick also looks well made but boy is it expensive even in the US: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-HOTAS-Warthog-Flight-Stick/dp/B00CBVHJ00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488477075&sr=8-1&keywords=thrustmaster+warthog+joystick

Problem is no matter how many people play space games and flight sims, joysticks will always be niche products.

Now if asked whether a throttle or pedals are necessary I would say NO for sure.